Isaiah 40:11 kjv
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
Isaiah 40:11 nkjv
He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.
Isaiah 40:11 niv
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
Isaiah 40:11 esv
He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
Isaiah 40:11 nlt
He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
He will carry the lambs in his arms,
holding them close to his heart.
He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
Isaiah 40 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 40:11 | He will feed his flock like a shepherd... | |
| Psalm 23:1 | The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not... | Directly echoes shepherd imagery. |
| Psalm 78:70-72 | He also chose David his servant... | God choosing and leading David. |
| Jeremiah 23:3-4 | I will gather the remnant of my flock... | God's promise of a faithful shepherd. |
| Ezekiel 34:11-16 | For thus says the Lord God... | Detailed prophecy of God as shepherd. |
| Ezekiel 34:23 | I will set up over them one shepherd... | Prophecy of Christ as shepherd. |
| John 10:11 | I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life... | Jesus identifies Himself as the good shepherd. |
| John 10:14 | I am the good shepherd. And I know my own... | Jesus' intimate knowledge of His sheep. |
| John 10:27-29 | My sheep hear my voice, and I know them... | The secure relationship between Jesus and His sheep. |
| Hebrews 13:20 | Now may the God of peace who brought up from the dead... | Christ, the great shepherd. |
| 1 Peter 2:25 | For you were straying like sheep, but now have returned... | We were lost, but now are found. |
| 1 Peter 5:2-4 | Shepherd the flock of God that is among you... | Exhortation to shepherds to emulate God. |
| Revelation 7:17 | For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd... | Christ as the ultimate shepherd in eternity. |
| Genesis 48:15 | The God who has fed me all my life long... | God as a lifelong provider. |
| Psalm 37:25 | I have been young, and am now old, yet I have not seen the righteous... | God's faithfulness to His people. |
| Isaiah 40:10 | Behold, the Lord God comes with might... | Precedes this verse, showing God's powerful approach. |
| Isaiah 40:12 | Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand... | Shows God's immense power and sovereignty. |
| Isaiah 40:29 | He gives power to the faint, and multiplies strength... | God's strengthening provision. |
| Isaiah 49:9-10 | To say to the prisoners, “Come out,”... | God's redemptive and guiding actions. |
| Jeremiah 31:9 | They shall come with weeping, and with pleas... | God leading them back. |
| Zechariah 10:3 | My anger burns against the shepherds... | Judgment on false shepherds. |
| Matthew 9:36 | When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them... | Jesus' compassion mirrored. |
| Acts 20:28 | Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock... | The responsibility of under-shepherds. |
Isaiah 40 verses
Isaiah 40 11 Meaning
The Lord shepherds His people, His flock, with gentle care and provision. He personally guides and nurtures them, ensuring their safety and sustenance.
Isaiah 40 11 Context
Isaiah 40 speaks of God's immense power, glory, and compassion towards His people, particularly in the context of their exile and impending restoration. This chapter acts as a divine reassurance that God is sovereign and capable of bringing His promises to fruition. Verse 11 directly follows descriptions of God's might and coming judgment/salvation, painting a picture of His tender care for those who return or will be gathered. It prepares the audience for the arrival of a powerful, yet gentle, divine presence. Historically, the people of Judah were in exile in Babylon, experiencing a spiritual and physical low. This prophecy offered hope for their return and for God's ongoing relationship with them as their faithful Shepherd.
Isaiah 40 11 Word Analysis
- Shad` (שַׁד): From root sh-d-d (שׁדד) meaning "to treat," "to handle," or "to deal with." Here, it implies gentle and careful handling.
- Shalaq (שָׁלַק): Root meaning "to pluck," "to draw," or "to carry." Used to describe a shepherd gathering lambs and ewes.
- Rû‘atsh (ר֘וּעַצ): Hebrew word, here transcribed. It denotes the "lambs" or young ones.
- Ayim (אַיִּ֕ים): Hebrew word, here transcribed. It denotes the "ewes" or breeding ewes.
- Yiqqaħ (יִּקַּח): From root lqh (לָקַח) meaning "to take," "to receive," or "to carry." It signifies gentle gathering and carrying.
Group of words analysis:
- "feed his flock" (rô‘ê) signifies not just physical sustenance but also guidance, protection, and spiritual nurturing.
- "like a shepherd" emphasizes the personal, tender, and intimate nature of God's care, contrasting with impersonal management.
- "carry them in his bosom" depicts a profound level of closeness, tenderness, and protection, akin to a shepherd holding the most vulnerable sheep near his heart.
Isaiah 40 11 Bonus Section
The "bosom" or "chest" in the ancient Near East was the place closest to the heart, a place of deepest affection and security. This intimate portrayal contrasts with images of earthly rulers who might be distant or harsh. The metaphor of God as shepherd is prevalent throughout the Old Testament, building to its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is explicitly called the "Good Shepherd." This verse prepares the reader for the arrival of the Messiah, who would embody this perfect shepherding care by laying down His life for the sheep.
Isaiah 40 11 Commentary
This verse beautifully encapsulates the multifaceted nature of God's leadership. He is the sovereign Creator, yet also the intimately involved Shepherd. The imagery conveys God's tenderness, His personal knowledge of each individual within His flock (the people of Israel, and by extension, believers), and His commitment to their well-being from vulnerability (lambs) to maturity (ewes). It reassures them of divine protection and provision during their journey, whether returning from exile or in their ongoing spiritual life. The closeness of being "carried in his bosom" speaks of an extraordinary level of comfort, security, and unmediated love.
Practical application: We can rest in the knowledge that God is intimately aware of our needs, especially when we feel vulnerable or overwhelmed, much like young lambs. His care is not distant; it is personal and tender.